On September 29, 1985, a Bell 206B (registration N305AL) was involved in an aviation accident near North Padre 967. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to remove a tow rope from the forward fuselage during takeoff, which resulted in loss of control and an inverted water impact. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 8 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
A helicopter attempted to take off while a rope remained tied to the forward fuselage. The nose pitched down, the aircraft rolled inverted upon water impact, and the pilot sustained back injuries.
What happened
The helicopter was attempting to initiate a takeoff when it became evident that a rope was still attached to the forward fuselage tiedown point. As the aircraft began its rotation, a witness observed the nose pitching downward while the tail lifted toward a near-vertical attitude. Despite the pilot's attempt to inflate the floats after the aircraft entered the water, the helicopter rolled completely inverted following the impact. The pilot managed to escape the submerged aircraft and swam to a nearby raft. During the violent impact sequence, the pilot sustained back injuries.
Findings
The primary factor contributing to the accident was the failure to remove the tow rope prior to initiating takeoff. This oversight caused an immediate loss of pitch control and resulted in the inverted water landing.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to remove a tow rope from the forward fuselage during takeoff, which resulted in loss of control and an inverted water impact.
What happened in the 29 Sept 1985 Bell 206B accident near North Padre 967?
A helicopter attempted to take off while a rope remained tied to the forward fuselage. The nose pitched down, the aircraft rolled inverted upon water impact, and the pilot sustained back injuries.
Were there any fatalities in the 29 Sept 1985 Bell 206B accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 29 Sept 1985 involved a Bell 206B, registration N305AL, at North Padre 967.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
The pilot's failure to remove a tow rope from the forward fuselage during takeoff, which resulted in loss of control and an inverted water impact.
A SkyWalk Join't 3 paraglider crashed into the ground near Las Vizcachas, Chile, on September 1, 2024. The pilot and passenger sustained serious spinal…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2024-09-01DGAC Chile
A Cessna 172N struck electrical cables while on final approach to land at Aucó Aerodrome in Chile. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained damage…
A Bombardier DHC-8-402 suffered a tail strike during landing at Puerto Williams on September 9, 2024. All 76 occupants were unharmed, but the aircraft…
A MYD JS-MD 3 glider veered off the runway and struck a wall at Vitacura Aerodrome on January 6, 2025. The pilot was uninjured, but the aircraft sustained…
A recreational paraglider flight in Puchuncaví, Chile, ended with the pilot sustaining serious injuries after a rapid descent and impact with a hillside on…
PARAPENTE (ULTRALIVIANO NO MOTORIZADO)·2025-03-29DGAC Chile
A Tecnam P2006T landed on its belly at an aerodrome in Poland after the crew failed to confirm landing gear deployment. The incident resulted in no injuries…